Pallet stacking guide



Jan. 31, 1950 s. E. FLETCHER PALLET STACKING GUIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1945 FIG.

gwumm FLETCHER GEORGE E.

Jan. 31, 1950 G. E. FLETCHER 2,495,711

PALLET STACKING GUIDE Filed May 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 31, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PALLET STACKING GUIDE George E. Fletcher, United States Navy Application May 14, 1945, Serial No. 593,585

9 Claims. (01. 248-120) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The present invention relates to improvements in a pallet stacking guide and pallet assembly and has for an object the provision of a pallet stacking guide which securely holds legs or props disposed between the pallets, and which makes it possible to double or triple deck pallets with material of uneven contour and varying heights.

Another object is to provide a pallet stacking guide of novel construction which is adapted to be readily applied to and removed from standard pallets without the use of tools, thereby greatly facilitating the storage of material of all shapes and sizes and resulting in the saving of large amounts of needed space.

A further object is the provision of a pallet stacking guide which may be readily and cheaply manufactured, and which is strong and capable of retaining legs or props in proper position in relation to the pallets, without the necessity of any other means of holding or securing the legs or props in position on the pallet.

Another object is to provde such a guide or device which is so designed as to remain securely in place when applied to the pallet and leg or prop.

A further object is to provide a pallet assembly including said pallet stacking guides and props or legs, which assembly is readily assembled and disassembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which are exemplary, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of pallet stacking guide embodying the invention, with the pallet and a leg or prop shown in phantom.

Fig. 2 is a view of an assembly embodying the invention and comprising four pallet stacking guides in engagement with a pallet and legs or props, and a second pallet supported upon the legs or props.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred modifled form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the pallet stacking guide in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a vertically disposed body member or portion I having parallel spaced apart horizontal arm members 2 and 3 extending perpendicularly from the vertical plate I adjacent the lower end of the plate, to embrace the joist or horizontal beam 4 of the pallet, and a prop embracing member 5 extending inwardly from and supported by the plate I and overlying and spaced vertically from the arms 2 and 3.

The arms 2 and 3 desirably comprise the spaced parallel vertical portions 2a and 3a, which embrace the joist 4 of the pallet, and the arms may desirably include horizontal flange portions 2b and 3b which overlie and may desirably engage 2 the upper surface 5 of the end board 6 of the lower platform or deck of the pallet.

The prop embracing member 5 is spaced above the upper portions of the arms 2 and 3 a sumcient amount to receive therebetween the end board I of the upper deck or platform of the pallet.

The embracing member 5 embraces and holds the leg or prop 8 in pallet stacking position with the leg or prop bearing on the upper deck end board I of the pallet, substantially in alinement vertically with the joist or horizontal beam 4 of the pallet. The embracing member 5 may be of any suitable contour to receive the legs or props 8, rectangular, as shown in Fig. 1, for example to receive 4" x 4" wooden props, or of other suitable shape.

In Fig. 2, an assembly embodying the invention is shown, including four of the pallet stacking guides applied to a pallet, with legs or props 8 in place and a second pallet supported upon the upper ends of the props.

As no tools or fasteners are required, it will be apparent that the assembly may be readily assembled and disassembled. In assembly, the guides are simply applied by horizontally sliding them onto the pallet laterally thereof, with the arms 2 and 3 overlying the lower deck of the pallet and closely embracing the joint 4 of the pallet, until the vertical member I engages the pallet.

The pallet stacking guides are thus not subject to dislodgment, except by being positively withdrawn horizontally along the joist in the same path in which they were applied. They cannot be dislodged or removed in any other direction and cannot be tipped or tilted out of vertical alignment by reason of the arms 2 and 3 of each guide being disposed between and substantially in engagement with the upper and lower decks of the pallet and embracing the joist of the pallet.

After applying the guides to the pallet, the legs or props 8 are inserted, and the next pallet is applied on top of the legs. A plurality of pallets may thus be readily stacked and unstacked using props of any desired length to suit the height of the material or objects being stored.

The guide may be made in any suitable manner, as by being cast, or welded as shown in Fig. 1.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a pallet. stacking guide embodying the invention is shown, comprising a vertically disposed portion or body member II having parallel spaced apart horizontal arm members I2 and I3 extending perpendicularly from the vertical portion I I to embrace the joist of the pallet, and the prop or leg embracing member I5 extending inwardly from and supported by the vertical portion I I and overlying and spaced vertically from the horizontal arms l2 and I3.

The arms l2 and I3 may desirably comprise a pair of channel members having their open sides facing each other, the upper and lower horizontal flanges I20 and H21), and I30 and 131) being disposed to extend between and to substantially engage or to be adjacent to respectively the upper and lower decks of the pallet. The channel members or arms I2 and I3 are spaced apart a distance to snugly embrace a joist of the pallet. The vertical portions of the channels [2 and I3 are desirably substantially flush with the sides of the vertical part ll of the guide.

A horizontal connecting portion l5a, may desirably be provided to join the prop embracing member [5 with the vertical portion I I, to dispose the embracing member l5 somewhat inwardly of the vertical portion 1 I and a central gusset member I5b may desirably be provided at the back of the member 15 and joining with the connecting portion [5a and the vertical portion II.

In Fig. 3, the prop embracing member is shown as of circular form and may desirably receive props or legs in the form of cylindrical pipe (not shown) of a size to fit the embracing member, and of any desired length governed by the height of the material being stowed.

If desired, a portion of the tubular prop embracing member of either Fig. 1 or 3, may be removed, as shown in Fig. 3 to save material and reduce weight.

The guide of the present invention may desirably be cast in one piece of a light metal such as aluminum, for example.

Weight or load is transmitted directly through the props or legs and the pallets without any of the load of the material or pallet assembly being borne by the stacking guides of the present invention.

The horizontal lower edge of the vertical portion of the guide is desirably of substantial extent and preferably is disposed to be substantially in engagement with the floor or deck when applied to the lowermost pallet and to thereby prevent any substantial tilting of the stacking guide and to provide stability in the assembly.

The horizontal flanges of the guides of the present invention provide substantial surface area for engagement with the upper and lower decks of the pallet and provide stability in the assembly by preventing any substantial tilting of the stacking guides.

The guides may be readily and inexpensively made, and may be made from scrap material, if desired.

The facility of storage provided by the pallet stacking guide and the adjustable and removable multi-deck pallet assembly of the present inven-- tion, and the saving in floor space much needed in warehouses or the like, is very great. In use the invention has resulted in a saving in floor space of approximately 50 per cent. Also, material thus stored is more readily identified and issued with greater ease.

Material is readily stowed in the pallet assembly with safety and neatness, solely with the aid of a fork truck.

It will be understood that various changes in the construction and details of the device illustrated and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of comprising a horizontally disposed flange adapted to overlie and to engage the upper surface of the lower deck of the pallet, and a prop embracing member supported by said vertical portion and overlying and spaced vertically from the arms, said guide being adapted to receive the upper deck of the pallet in said space between the prop embracing member and the arms.

2. A pallet stacking guide comprising a vertically disposed portion, a pair of horizontally disposed arms extending perpendicularly from and connected to said vertical portion and comprising parallel portions spaced apart and adapted to embrace a joist of a pallet, said arms having upper and lower portions adapted to be disposed between and to substantially engage respectively the upper and lower decks of the pallet, said upper and lower portions of said arms comprising horizontal flanges, and a prop embracing member supported by said vertical portion and overlying and spaced vertically from said arms, said guide being adapted to receive the upper deck of the pallet in said space between the prop embracing member and the arms.

3. A pallet stacking guide comprising a vertically disposed portion, a pair of horizontally disposed arms extending perpendicularly from and connected to said vertical portion and spaced apart from each other and adapted to embrace a joist of a pallet, said arms comprising a pair of channel members having their open sides facing each other, the upper and lower flanges of said channel members being adapted to extend between and to substantially engage respectively the upper and lower decks of the pallet, and a prop embracing member supported by said vertical portion and overlying and spaced vertically from the arms, said guide being adapted to receive the upper deck of the pallet in said space between the prop embracing member and the arms.

4. A pallet stacking guide comprising a body having a vertical portion adapted to be disposed adjacent the edge of a deck of a pallet, a vertical prop embracing member on said body, said prop embracing member being open at its upper and lower ends, and a horizontal arm on said body extending transversely to said vertical prop embracing member, said horizontal arm being spaced from the proximate open end of said prop embracing member such a distance as to receive in said space a deck of a pallet with the horizontal arm closely adjacent to a horizontal surface of the said pallet deck and with the proximate open end of said prop embracing member closely adjacent to the opposite horizontal surface of the said pallet deck, said open ended prop embracing member being constructed to slidably receive a prop to engage directly upon said deck of the pallet.

5. A pallet stacking guide comprising a body having a vertical portion adapted to be disposed adjacent the edge of a deck of a pallet, a vertical prop embracing member on said body, said prop embracing member being open at its upper and lower ends, a pair of horizontal arms on said body extending transversely to said vertical prop embracing member, said arms being laterally spaced apart such a distance as to embrace a joist of a pallet, said pair of horizontal arms being spaced from the proximate open end of said prop embracing member such a distance as to receive in said space a deck of a pallet With the horizontal arms closely adjacent to a horizontal surface of the said pallet deck and with the proximate open end of said prop embracing member closely adjacent to the opposite horizontal surface of the said pallet deck, said open ended prop embracing member being constructed to slidably receive a prop to engage directly upon said deck of the pallet.

6. A pallet stacking guide according to claim in which the said vertically disposed portion has a horizontal lower edge of substantial extent adapted to engage a supporting floor or deck.

7. A pallet stacking guide comprising a body portion adapted to be disposed adjacent the edge of a deck of a pallet or the like, said body portion having a horizontal arm extending from one side thereof and adapted to be disposed adjacent the deck of the pallet, said body portion having a vertical prop embracing member extending from the said side thereof and overlying said horizontal arm, said prop embracing member being open at its upper and lower ends, the lower open end of said prop embracing member overlying said horizontal arm and spaced therefrom such a distance as to receive in said space a deck of a pallet with the horizontal arm closely adjacent to the lower horizontal surface of said pallet deck and with the lower open end of said prop embracing member closely adjacent to the upper horizontal surface of said pallet deck, said open ended prop embracing member being constructed to slidably receive a prop to engage directly upon said deck of the pallet.

8. A stacking assembly comprising a deck, stacking guides each comprising a body having a vertical portion disposed adjacent the edge of said deck, a vertical prop embracing member on said body, said prop embracing member being open at its upper and lower ends, and a horizontal arm on said body extending transversely to said vertical prop embracing member, said horizontal arm being spaced from the proximate open end of said prop embracing member, said deck being disposed in said space, a horizontal surface of said deck being closely adjacent to said horizontal arm and the opposite horizontal surface of said deck being closely adjacent to the said proximate open end of said prop embracing member, and props slidably received in said open ended prop embracing members of said guides, said props engaging directly upon said deck through said proximate open ends of the prop embracing members of said guides.

9. A stacking assembly comprising a pallet consisting of upper and lower decks and joists between said decks, stacking guides each comprising a body having a vertical portion disposed adjacent the edges of said decks of said pallet, a vertical prop embracing member on said body, said prop embracing member being open at its upper and lower ends, a pair of horizontal arms on said body extending transversely to said vertical prop embracing member, said horizontal arms being laterally spaced apart, a joist of said pallet having an end embraced between said laterally spaced horizontal arms, said pair of horizontal arms being spaced from the proximate open end of said prop embracing member, a deck of said pallet being disposed in said space, a horizontal surface of said deck being closely adjacent to said horizontal arms and the opposite horizontal surface of said deck being closely adjacent to said proximate open end of said prop embracing member, and props slidably received in said open ended prop embracing members of said guides, said props engaging directly upon said deck through said proximate open ends of the prop embracing members of said guides, said prop embracing members and props therein each being disposed substantially in vertical alinement with a joist of the pallet, the other deck of said pallet being disposed closely adjacent to the opposite sides of said pairs of horizontal arms of said guides.

GEORGE E. FLETCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 465,382 Marks Dec. 15, 1891 1,349,500 Dietz Aug. 10, 1920 1,383,986 Cullinan July 5, 1921 1,451,840 Novotny Apr. 17, 1923 1,490,665 Gifiord Apr. 15, 1924 1,748,779 Lewis et al Feb. 25, 1930 1,912,847 Klepel June 6, 1933 1,940,242 Burgess Dec. 19, 1933 2,267,865 Hurley Dec. 30, 1941 2,297,347 Cruickshank Sept. 29, 1942 2,330,852 White Oct. 5, 1943 

